The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Lagos State, has lauded the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for Zone 2 Command, Adegoke Fayoade, for his prompt and decisive intervention in the case involving a female student of Lagos State University (LASU), who was allegedly arrested based on a misleading petition by her landlord.

The incident, which sparked widespread outrage on social media over the weekend, occurred on July 18, when operatives from Zone 2 reportedly forcibly arrested the student following a counter-petition by her landlord. The student had earlier filed a harassment and intimidation complaint against the landlord at the Igando Police Division, which was allegedly disregarded.

In a joint statement signed by Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri (Chairman) and Ridwan Ajayi (Public Relations Officer) of NANS JCC Lagos, the student’s arrest was described as an abuse of police power allegedly instigated by the landlord’s refusal to respond to police invitations.

Upon being alerted by the Lagos State University Students’ Union (LASUSU), NANS Lagos immediately intervened by contacting AIG Fayoade. Their action prompted the student’s release on bail by 6:00 a.m. the next day.

NANS commended AIG Fayoade for displaying what it called “rare statesmanship and professional integrity” by convening a fact-finding session on July 21 at the Zone 2 headquarters. The session included the student, her parents, the landlord, LASUSU representatives, senior police officials, and NANS delegates.

Following a thorough review of the incident, AIG Fayoade referred the case to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for further impartial investigation, a move NANS described as “student-sensitive and fatherly.”

“The AIG’s intervention did not only prevent a gross miscarriage of justice, but it also restored confidence in the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement read.

The student body also applauded LASUSU’s swift solidarity, describing the entire episode as a testament to the power of unity and vigilance in defending student rights.

“This collaborative effort between student leadership and law enforcement sends a strong message: Nigerian students will not be silenced, harassed, or intimidated with impunity,” the NANS leaders said.

NANS has further called for a full investigation into the landlord’s alleged misuse of police channels, insisting that any attempt to weaponise law enforcement for personal vendettas must not go unpunished.

The group reiterated its commitment to protecting the dignity and rights of students across Lagos State, and vowed to continue engaging with authorities to prevent future abuses of power.